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With his debut, Philipp Maybach secured a spot in his club’s history books. Only 16, eight months, and four days old, the defensive midfielder became the youngest player in Austria Vienna’s Austrian Bundesliga history when he came off the bench on August 18. Then, in October, he became the youngest starter in club history in a Bundesliga match against promoted GAK.

“It definitely happened very fast,” Maybach said in an interview with Transfermarkt. “Of course, I am proud to be the youngest debutant in Austria Vienna’s history, but I also know it is just a small step in my career.” The Vienna native was still part of the Young Violets last season and then made the first team this summer. The academy product managed 249 minutes across seven games for the senior team. “To become a regular starter,” Maybach said when asked about his goals this season. 

Maybach kicked off his career at Austria XIII in Vienna’s 14^th district. In the winter of 2020/21, he joined the youth team of First Vienna FC, but after just half a year with the club, the then 13-year-old moved on to the academy of Austria Vienna, where he moved his way up to the first team. Then in the 2023/24 season, after just seven games with the U18, Maybach was promoted to the second team, which plays in the third division of the Austrian football pyramid. Under head coach Stephan Helm, Maybach played nine games in the Regionalliga, and Transfermarkt understands that there was serious interest from Red Bull Salzburg. 

The midfielder, however, decided to make the next step in his career with the Violets. Helm became the new head coach of the Bundesliga team and promoted Maybach. “Definitely,” Maybach said when asked whether Helm was decisive in promoting his career. “He coached me at the Young Violetts as well and then brought me up to the senior team, always banking on me.” 

Austria Vienna’s Maybach models his game after Sergio Busquets

Maybach’s footballing idol is his teammate Manfred Fischer. “He is our captain and I think he fulfills his role perfectly,” Maybach said. But Transfermarkt CEO and Austria Vienna expert Thomas Lintz compares his play style to someone else. “Maybach is a classical no.6, playing the position in a similar style to Florian Mader, who was part of Austria’s last title-winning team. Otherwise, he is best compared to someone like Busquets. What stands out is his positional play and his decision-making. Thus far, he isn’t a typical midfield motor who will run significant miles, at least not yet.”  

As is the case with the club, Maybach also has shot up the ladder at the national team level. In May 2023, he debuted for Austria’s U16, then in March of this year, he was promoted to the U17, playing the European Championship with them, and then in October, he was promoted again, this time to the U18. “The U17 European Championship has been a career highlight,” Maybach said when asked about the tournament in which Austria were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Serbia. “It is a special feeling to be a national team player and be allowed to represent your nation. I hope I can one day represent the senior team as well.” 

What about his club career? “One day, I want to play in a big league,” Maybach said. But for now, his focus is on Austria Vienna. “Right now, I am thrilled at Austria and thankful that they have given me an opportunity.” 

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2007 and 2008. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.